There's a Chinese submarine in the Gulf's international waters right now, with missiles programmed to hit Morgan City, New Orleans, and New Iberia. But you just sit, watch, and wait, until they use what they got before you retaliate.
You don't know that. How does a drone 'appriach in a thrteatening manner? It is entitled to be where it was......and is entiteld to defy being 'warned off.' That US ship has no territorial rights there. None. "Their beligerence???" Huh. Who brought what down? Wouldn't the belligerent party be the aggressor?
Heading straight at it on an intercept course closing to 1000 yards after repeated broadcast to standdown. Yes they now have taken 3 tablets after trying to sink two others and shooting down our aircraft. I guess you would prefer they actually fire on one of our troop ships causing massive casualties.
You don't know where it was heading or for what purpose. Best way to keep your troop ships out of an Iranian line of fire is to get your assault (attack) ships and troops the Hell out of the Land of Arabs